Casar, was a masterly piece of eloquence: In the celebrated quarrel scene between Brutus and Cassius, we were somewhat disappointed in Macready's conception of the answer to Cassius. It should be we imagine delivered in a calm and stoically temperate manner; but Macready so far departed from this conception of it, that he appeared to be in the greatest passion of the two. However, as a whole, we have nothing to find fault with in the Brutus of this gentleman. Vandenhoff in the stern senator, and rough soldier, was all that could be wished; though the part is not one so well suited to his style of acting, as Iago, and Sir Giles. Mrs. W. West, as Portia, and Miss Pelham as Calphurnia, did the little allotted to the characters full justice! SAINT JAMES'S THEATRE. Miss Rainsforth, a young lady of much promise, and whom we have frequently heard and admired as a Concert singer, has recently made her debut on the stage as Mandane in the Opera of Artaxerxes. She was received with a most cheering welcome, by a fashionable audience; and her execution of the Soldier tir'd fully proved she deserved the applause with which she was greeted. Mr. Braham's glorious voice was never heard to greater advantage than in Artaxerxes, and the duett by the Misses Smith," Mild as the Moonbeam," was the very soul of melody and sweet sound. The opera is got up in a style of elegance worthy a Theatre which professes to be "the glass of fashion." ENGLISH OPERA HOUSE. Mr. Stretton the vocalist took a benefit at this Theatre, on Monday, Nov. 21, and, as might be enpected from the high estimation in which he is held by the profession, and the many attractions the bill of fare presented, the house was an overflowing one! Der Freischütz, a Concert, and the Mountain Sylph, were the entertainments of the evening; the band in the Orchestra on this particular occasion consisting of the principal performers from the Philharmonic, King's Theatre, and Royal Academy of Music; (the Overture was in consequence splendidly performed,) besides a concentration of vocal talent seldom met with in the walls of a theatre. In the Mountain Sylph Mr. Frazer proved himself an excellent substitute for the original Donald --Wilson. We wish we could with truth say the same of Miss Fanny Healey, who had neither the voice, grace, or alertness of the Sylph we have been accustomed to see glide through the part (we need scarcely name Miss E. Romer); the choruses were not so strong or effective as on the first production of this Opera, but every allowance must be made for a benefit night, particularly as Mr. Stretton candidly announced that "several of the gentlemen he had engaged had disappointed him!" Suffice it to say, that the whole of the entertainments were received and went off with the greatest good feeling and eclat; and we heartily congratulate Mr. Stretton on the success of his speculation! SADLER'S WELLS. Mr. Copping, the Mechanist, took his benefit here (at which we were present) on Tuesday the 15th Nov. A more crowded audience never filled the walls of a Theatre; the House was not only a The pieces bumper, but an overflowing one. chosen for the entertainment, consisted of The Jewess, (not that version played at Drury, but clever romance by Miss Pardoe, entitled "The one from the pen of Moncrieff, founded on the Daventrys,") Bombastes Furioso, Holiday Pranks, and the nautical drama of Rule Britannia. Various Songs and Dances filled up the intervals of amusement. The whole of the entertainments between these pieces; so that there was no lack were well performed and got up. We must particularize Holiday Pranks, a little one-act piece, produced entirely, we presume, for the purpose of displaying the abilities of MASTER BURTON, a youth of about fourteen, whose personation of five different characters might shame some actors of much greater pretensions, now on the Stage. His Terrence O'Leary and Socratinus Mac' Glen, were inimitable both in accent and manner. Rule Britannia of Mr. Campbell is equal to any of his former popular productions of this class; and we are happy to record our approbation of it, because Mr. Campbell fancied we did him injustice as an Author, on a former occasion; as an actor he is well known and appreciated in that line of character, peculiarly his forte. We must not forget to mention a very clever Song, of the Steam-arm School, written (we presume for this occasion) by Mr. J. Bird, the Yoxford Poet, and the whole of the evening's amusements went off admirably sung by Mr. Rogers. Suffice it to say, with the greatest eclât, and we trust Mr. Copping will derive as much benefit from them, as his juconvenience and comfort of his audience, fully dicious selection of the pieces, and attention to the entitle him to expect. The Mr. Stretton in the character of Caspar in the first, and Hela in the last piece, had full scope afforded for the display of his rich mellow voice, of which he took every advantage, and his exertions met with warm and just applause. Mrs. Seguin and Miss H. Romer were very effective in the music of the parts allotted to them in Der Freischütz (Agnes and Ann), and Mr. Barker was much applauded in the character of Rodolph; though his voice has somewhat too much of the The Society of British Musicians met on Wedfalsetto to be to our taste. Miss Bruce and Mrs. A.nesday last at the Hanover Square Rooms to try Shaw were the two female stars of the CONCERT; the latter sung a sweet Ballad of Balfe's-"They tell me thou art the favoured guest," with a chasteness of expression, and delicacy of feeling that deWighted her auditors. BRITISH MUSICIANS. over some new music by Parry, Addison, Clifton, Phillips, and Blockley. The vocalists were Mrs. Geesin, Miss Bruce, Miss Birch, Mr. Leffler, and Mr. Wilson. The public concerts commence next month. Old Bond-street. 3. "Her Lute now lies broken!" Words by Mrs. C, B. Wilson, Music by G. Warne. Warne, Great Russell-street. 4. Here I watch that Star to see!" Ballad; composed by A. Lee. Wybrow, Rathbone-place. 5. "Sweet Village Stream!" Ballad; composed by A. Lee, and sung by Mrs. Waylett. Wybrow, Kathbone-place. 6. "I Remember, I Remember, How my Childhood fleeted by." Words by W. M. Praed, Esq., Music by Mrs. Edward Fitz Gerald. J. Balls and Son, Oxford-street. 7. "Rosabelle." Ballad; words by Leigh Cliffe, Esq., Music by A. Mevis. Munro and May, Holborn Bars. 8. "The Trafford Quadrilles;" composed by Richard Seed, Manchester. Published by the Author. 9. "Dos Santos' 3rd set of Original Quadrilles." Keith and Prowse, Cheapside. 10. "Les Deux Sœurs;" set of Quadrilles, composed and arranged by Duarte J. Dos Santos. Keith and Prowse, Cheapside. 1. Of the general character of the music in this Opera we spoke in favourable terms in our Theatrical Review. We now proceed to consider the Songs, &c. separately. The first solo of any consequence is "Greece, beloved Greece!" It is in the natural key, the second verse modulating into G, which serves to give variety to the air. "There is a lone retama tree!" so exquisitely sung by Miss Shirreff, possesses much originality, and ehanges in its character admirably, according with the sense of the poetry, expressing the different sentiments the words convey with the utmost fidelity. It is in the key of A flat. The two Duetts "There's a spell," and "Let me, ere I do depart," are also charming compositions. "I've watched with thee," the ballad in which Mr. Leffler established himself as a baritone of the first class, deserves particular notice. The subject is flowing and graceful, while the accompaniment sustains the harmonies sufficiently without overwhelming the vocal part—a fault too prevalent with modern composers. Its key is B flat, and is set, for the convenience of amateurs, in the treble cleff. "O, dear are the bowers of Shalimar!" was by no means done justice to by Mrs. Serle, but is notwithstanding a pleasing rondo. "Merrily, brothers, pass the cup," is a barcarole full of life and spirit, and well adapted to the votaries of Bacchus. The other compositions in the piece are, "Ye have betrayed him," recitative and air for Medora, and the delightful Ballad, "Come here, come here, my young gazelle," in both of which there is much effective and clever writing. gay 2. We feel very diffident in speaking of Songs, the words of which are from the pen of the Editress of this work; but leaving the poetry quite out of the question, we must do justice to the Composer, and say that a more effective composition has not yet been presented to the Musical World, than that now before us. It is worthy of the Syren "now no more." The opening recitative," Hush'd is the voice of full of that mournful melody which cannot fail to be Song,' is exquisite, and the aria which follows is felt and appreciated by every heart and ear that has been charmed by that voice now silent in the grave. 3. This is a Ballad on the same mournful subject, but totally differing from the foregoing production. It is full of melody and sweetness, and only suited to the quiet harmony of the Drawingroom, or the private Soirée, while the former requires the execution of the Concert-room, or the The words of both have Stage of the Oratorio. already appeared in the pages of "The Belle Assemblée." 4. A pretty, simple Ballad, of A. Lee's composition. We have heard it sweetly sung by Miss Wybrow, a very successful, though youthful, candidate, for public fame, at the Queen's Theatre. 5. A very sweet and flowing melody, sung nightly by Mrs. Waylett, at the Queen's, with an encore. 6. This is one of the sweetest ballads, both as regards words and music, we have a long time heard. It ought to be found on the piano of every young lady of taste. We subjoin the words. I remember, I remember, How my childhood fleeted by; And the warmth of its July. But my pleasures are not now, Love Were as blithe as blithe could be; Were coronals for me. Gems to-night Love, gems to-night Love, But they are not half so bright Love, 7. A very pleasing Ballad, the melody simple, but graceful; the words sweet and flowing. Against the lithographic plate which disfigures the title page, we must, however, enter our protest of dislike; it is ill-done and vulgar in the extreme. 8. A set of Quadrilles of considerable merit, with a very pretty waltz at the end. 9 and 10. These are certainly the most exquisite Quadrilles it has fallen to our lot to notice for some time; their popularity is already established and they have been arranged as Duets for two performers on the piano forte, and also for the piano and flute, with great brilliancy and effect. FASHIONS FOR DECEMBER. TO THE EDITRESS OF LA BELLE ASSEmblee. Rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré, à Paris, Nov. 24. My dear Friend,-If our fashionable season answers the preparations made for it, it will be the most splendid that we have had for the last seven years. All is bustle, mouvement in short; but thank Heaven, this time the mouvement will cost neither life nor limb; the only wounds inflicted by it will be those deadly ones given to the purses of husbands, many of whom would gladly rebel if they dared, against the despot, Fashion; a despot by the bye, who has now for centuries maintained her absolute power over France, while every other form of government has been successively overthrown. Mais mille pardons ma chère for this digression, let me hasten to make you au fait of the novelties that have just appeared, or will appear, in the course of the month. delicate fur. Some of our merveilleuses however affect to patronize it, as they do every thing else that is new, scarce, and dear; but it is not likely ever to become generally fashionable. There is considerable variety in the materials of hats and bonnets. Velvet, velours épinglé, satin, poult de Soie, gros d'Alger, peluche and moire, are all in favour. You are surprised no doubt that the last material, which is a summer one, and indeed calculated for summer only, should be adopted in winter; it is a caprice of fashion, and may be a transient one, but after seeing velvet worn in the dog days ought we to be surprised at any thing. A good many of the new undress bonnets are of black satin, the brims drawn, and lined with light coloured satin; apple-green is much in favour for linings; the crowns are drawn round the head, but rise full above it. The ribbon that trims these bonnets has always a black ground, but it may be spotted or striped at the edge in the colour of the lining. Velvet will be in great favour for halfdress hats or bonnets. It may be trimmed either with ribbon arranged in simple knots, with feathers, or even with flowers; but the only ornaments of the latter kind suitable for black velvet, is a sprig of orange blossoms, or a bouquet of roses. If the bonnet is green it should be orna Velvet will be very much the rage for bonnets, mantles, and robes; it is already adopted for the first, as also for mantelets and shawls. There are some shawls in colours, as dark green, drab, and deep blue, but they are not so elegant as black, nor so well calculated to display the beauty of the bor-mented with a single poppy, or a tuft of periwinder embroidered in colours. I have seen a few in what are called Egyptian patterns, but I cannot recommend them to your fair readers, they are showy and singular, but not elegant. Velvet mantelets of a new and becoming form are beginning to be adopted; the pelerine part has two falls, and is cut something in the shawl style; the scarf ends, which are rather broad, descend a little below the knee. Mantles, both of velvet and satin, wadded and lined with satin, and the lining quilted either in small quadrilled pattern, or what is still prettier, in sprigs of foliage, and other fancy patterns, begin to come into favour, and will be more so in the course of the month; they are worn both in carriage-dress and for the Opera: I shall cite two that I think extremely elegant; the one is crimson satin, lined with white satin, and bordered with swansdown; the other, garter blue satin, lined with pale pink satin, and trimmed with light sable. Apropos of sable: fur trimmings will be quite the rage both in out-door and in-door dress. Muffs, which have been very little worn for some seasons past, are now universally adopted. Boas, despite of many attempts to cry them down, continue their vogue. Mantles and mantelets begin already to be trimmed with fur, and I have strong reasons to believe that when the season fairly opens, which it will in December, evening robes, particularly open ones, will be trimmed with sable or ermine. Grey squirrel, always a favourite outdoor fur with ladies of moderate fortune, will not be considered good enough for trimming evening dresses, but will probably be employed for neglige. An attempt was made a year or two ago, and is now again making, to introduce a new kind of fur which we have imported from Germany, as you may see by its harsh name, Grébe; it is manufactured from the plumage of a sea fowl, and it is intended to rival swansdown, but assuredly will never in any respect be able to compete with that kles. If the head-dress is of any other colour, the flowers must be in velvet to correspond. Velours épinglé less rich, but also not so heavy as velvet, will be in great request. Marron, scabieuse, and grey are expected to be favourite colours for it; grey forms a very pretty mixture with ponçeau velvet, or cherry-coloured velours épinglé." I have already spoken to you of Peluche, when it is worn by unmarried ladies, it is simply trimmed with plain white satin ribbon. It is trimmed for married ladies with feathers, flowers, or velours épinglé. Parrot green and straw will be favourite colours for satin; and black, white, and myrtle-green for moire. Flowers will continue to be employed during the winter to trim the interior of the brims of hats and bonnets. Some have appeared ornamented with the tips of feathers instead of flowers, but they are few in number; the most elegant being adorned with early spring flowers, such as Persian lilac, wild violets, and other field flowers. Promenade bonnets have the brim of moderate size, rather close at the sides, but evasée at the top, the brims are not so long as they have lately been worn, they are decidedly smaller than they were a few weeks ago, and their size may now I think be considered as settled for the season. Generally speaking, the flowers or knots of ribbon that ornament a hat or bonnet, are placed almost at the bottom of the crown. Feathers alone are allowed to rise above it, but not much, as they must be placed so as to droop on one side. Before we go in-doors, I must say a word or two to you of a love of a shawl, which a friend of mine, distinguished for her taste, has just bought as a wedding present for her niece: it is an Indian Cashmere, square, and of very large size, a ponceau ground, the border lightly embroidered in black silk, and edged with broad black blond lace; it is lined with white satin: the effect upon the whole is equally rich and elegant. Now let us pass to the breakfast-table, for which the robe de chambre of materials as comfortable as they are elegant, and bonnet bouillonée of tulle, are indispensable. Very fine merinos, or plain Cachemirienne, are favourite materials for robes de chambre, they are wadded, or lined with peluche rose or cherry-coloured peluche has a very pretty effect under pearl grey merinos; and that with Turkish patterns, is a tich lining for white, blue, or light green Cachemirienne. The form of these dresses has not altered, except that the sleeves have somewhat diminished in size. The cap must have the tulle bouilloneé at the sides only, and descending rather low with floating brides of tulle. The caul high and round, is encircled on the summit of the head by a wreath of ribbons disposed in deep points. dresses, and is really the prettiest, most graceful, High dresses and donillettes, as our wadded pelisses are called, are also in favour for home negligé. No particular change has taken place in the make of these dresses. The form of sleeves is not yet settled, many élégantes adopt those demi- | DESCRIPTION OF THE MONTHLY large, which are certainly better calculated for morning-dress than long tight sleeves. I have some reason to believe that as the season advances two distinct kinds of sleeves will be adopted for dress and undress robes. Such a regulation is very much wanted. Although the splendid materials of which I spoke to you in my last will be extremely fashionable, it appears probable that velvet will be more so. Several of my friends have already ordered high dresses and pelisses of it for half-dress, as well as evening robes. In the former case, the hat or bonnet must be of satin, the effect would otherwise be heavy. Open robes both of silk and velvet are expected to be very generally adopted in full dress. The under dresses of satin, or else of crape or lace over satin, will be a good deal trimmed. Among the trimmings that will be employed, those most likely to be in favour will be three large rouleaux, a row of bouillons, or a deep flounce. You have already ma chère amie some very pretty models of round robes, and I am inclined to think that little change will take place either in corsages or sleeves, at least for some time. I must not forget to observe to you that demi trains gain ground. PLATE. CARRIAGE DRESS.-A high dress of parrot green satin, the corsage made to fit the shape exactly, with a small round collar partially standing up round the throat. The front of the corsage and also the front of the skirt is trimmed in a very novel and somewhat military style, with buttons and braiding to correspond. The sleeve is of the Amadis form at the bottom, but the upper part disposed in a single large bouffant, and the shoulder ornamented with the material of the dress pinked. White moire hat, the brim open and round, is ornamented next the face with blond lace and a wreath of damask roses. A low crown trimmed with white satin ribbon, and a bird of paradise. EVENING DRESS.-Oiseau satin robe, a low tight corsage, pointed at the bottom, seamed at each side of the front, and ornamented with a lappel of a very novel description trimmed with rouleaus; short sleeves, the fulness drawn in at the top under a band and knot of ribbon, the remainder forms a full bouffant. The head-dress is a toque of white spotted gaze de Syrie, a low foundation, and front arranged in high and full folds, the ends of the gauze trimmed with gold fringe droop at the sides. White figured satin scarf. PROMENADE DRESS.-Robe of one of the new figured poplins, a peculiar shade of drab, a high corsage covered by a pelerine forming a point before and rounded behind, it is trimmed with a double fold of brown velvet; the sleeve is full at the top, tight at the bottom, and trimmed with a pointed cuff, and a full knot of velvet on the upper part. Dress hats, caps, turbans, and above all, chapeaux toques, will be adopted in evening dress. The prettiest among the first, will be those small ones, which we style petits bords; I have recently seen one composed of blue velours épinglé, the brim extremely evasée, formed a coquille on the sides, and turned up in front from the right to the left; a point descended from under the brim on the forehead, which was covered with a bandeau of pearls that descended on the left upon the cheek, and terminated by pearl acorns. Several of the new caps are made a little in the turban style, and contain in their folds at least a dozen of roses. The turbans à l'antique and à la Juive are the only ones that will be adopted by élégantes of taste. Finis- MORNING DRESS.-Lilac gros de Naples robe, sons with the prettiest of all the evening head-corsage tight to the shape, with a pelerine fichu of dresses, the chapeau toque, composed of velvet, and the same material; a little open on the bosom, trimmed either with pearls or beads and feathers, it displaying the chemisette, it is trimmed with the is, as its name implies, a melange of two head- same material set on full, long, tight, sleeves, the Nauds en cornet ornament the front of the skirt. Lace collerette descending en fichu in front of the corsage. Bonnet of rose coloured rep velvet, the brim rather large, is trimmed next the face with pointed tulle; low crown, ornamented with a blond lace drapery, and satin ribbons to correspond. |